Typical values from 90 sampled wells in Sarasota County · Full groundwater profile
What Are You Noticing in Your Water?
Pre-selected from Sarasota County well data. Untick anything you do not notice in your own water.
Based on the contaminants most commonly reported in this region. Always confirm with a certified lab water test before buying equipment.
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Explore Sarasota County and nearby counties
Most homes in Sarasota County, in Southwest Florida, are on public water, but 8.3% of built parcels, roughly 19,548 properties, still draw drinking water from a private well, according to the Florida Department of Health's 2023 inventory.
Most groundwater pumped in Sarasota County comes from the Floridan Aquifer, with a significant share also from the Surficial Aquifer System (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Samples from 90 local wells put the median hardness at 38.4 gpg (very hard) and median iron at 0.01 mg/L. The county's largest communities are North Port, Sarasota and Venice.
In this guide
Groundwater Profile: Sarasota County
Most groundwater pumped in Sarasota County comes from the Floridan Aquifer, with a significant share also from the Surficial Aquifer System (USGS, 2015 withdrawals). Across 90 sampled wells, the median hardness is 38.4 gpg, which the USGS classes as very hard. It applies to wells across Sarasota County, including around North Port, Sarasota and Venice.
What shows up in local well samples:
- HardnessMedian 38.4 gpg; 96% of 90 sampled wells above 7 gpg
Calcium and magnesium dissolved from limestone. Leaves scale on fixtures and water heaters and reduces soap lather. Not a health risk.
Water softener sizing - Chloride (salinity)Median chloride 104 mg/L
A salty taste and faster corrosion, often a sign of saltwater intrusion. The EPA aesthetic guideline is 250 mg/L.
Reverse osmosis guide - SulfateMedian sulfate 378 mg/L
A bitter taste and, at high levels, a laxative effect. The EPA aesthetic guideline is 250 mg/L.
Reverse osmosis guide - Arsenic17% of 23 sampled wells above 10 µg/L
Odorless and tasteless, with an EPA limit of 10 µg/L. Only a lab test detects it.
How to test your well
Hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 0 Sarasota County wells, too few to say how common it is. Limited local data (fewer than 20 samples): individual well testing recommended. If you notice the smell, a sulfide test confirms it.
How Sarasota County Compares to Florida and the U.S.
See How Sarasota County Compares to Florida & the US
| Share of wells with… | Sarasota CountySarasota | FloridaFL | United StatesUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard water (above 7 gpg) | 96% | 79% | 60% |
| Iron above 0.3 mg/L | 17% | 35% | 19% |
| Manganese above 0.05 mg/L | 3% | 8% | 21% |
| Dissolved solids above 500 mg/L | 82% | 22% | 15% |
| Acidic water (pH below 6.5) | 6% | 15% | 14% |
| Nitrate above 10 mg/L (EPA limit) | Limited data | 2% | 4% |
| Arsenic above 10 µg/L (EPA limit) | 17% | 3% | 7% |
| Median hardness | 38.4 gpg | 12.4 gpg | — |
| Median pH | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 |
Sarasota County and Florida: share of sampled wells (all well types, samples since 2000) whose typical value exceeds the level, from the Water Quality Portal. United States: USGS Circular 1332, about 2,100 domestic wells in 48 states sampled 1991 to 2004. Well types and years differ, so read this as a broad comparison. Highlighted cells are well above the national share.
See what a typical Sarasota County well needs
Opens the diagnostic calculator with Sarasota County median values (38.4 gpg hardness, 0.01 ppm iron, pH 7.1) for a 3–4 person home. Swap in your own lab results for an exact plan.
Testing Your Well in Sarasota County
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County oversees private well permitting in the county and investigates suspected contamination. For routine bacteria, nitrate or full-panel tests, use a laboratory certified by the Florida Department of Health.
What to test for in Sarasota County:
- Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli) and nitrate, at least once a year (Florida Department of Health recommendation)
- Hardness in grains per gallon (gpg) to size a softener
- Chloride and sodium, to catch saltwater intrusion
- Arsenic, which appeared above the EPA limit in some sampled wells here
- After any flood, new well work or a change in taste, color or smell
The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County can explain how to collect samples and where to send them. Statewide guidance is on the FDOH private well testing page, and our guide to how to test well water covers which tests to order.
Nearby Counties
Sarasota County borders these counties with published reports:
Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes in Sarasota County use private wells?
The Florida Department of Health’s Florida Water Management Inventory (2023 data) found 8.3% of built parcels in Sarasota County on private wells, roughly 19,548 properties.
How hard is well water in Sarasota County?
Groundwater samples from 90 wells in Sarasota County have a median hardness of 38.4 grains per gallon (657 mg/L), which the USGS classes as very hard. About 96% of sampled wells are above 7 gpg, the point where a water softener is usually worthwhile. The Florida statewide median is 12.4 gpg.
Is iron a problem in Sarasota County well water?
The median iron level across 90 sampled wells is 0.01 mg/L, below the EPA aesthetic guideline of 0.3 mg/L, and 17% of wells exceed it. Most wells will not stain, but if yours does, a lab test tells you whether iron or manganese is the cause.
Why does my well water smell like rotten eggs in Sarasota County?
Hydrogen sulfide (the rotten-egg smell) was measured in only 0 Sarasota County wells, too few to say how common it is. Limited local data (fewer than 20 samples): individual well testing recommended. If you notice the smell, a sulfide test confirms it. The smell is a nuisance rather than a health risk at typical levels.
Which aquifer supplies wells in Sarasota County?
Most groundwater pumped in Sarasota County comes from the Floridan Aquifer, with a significant share also from the Surficial Aquifer System (USGS, 2015 withdrawals).
Does boiling well water make it safe to drink in Sarasota County?
Only if bacteria are the problem. A one-minute rolling boil kills germs, but it does not remove nitrate, arsenic or other chemicals, and it concentrates them as water evaporates. Test first, and see our boiling well water myth buster for when boiling helps.
How often should I test my well water in Sarasota County?
The Florida Department of Health recommends testing private wells for bacteria and nitrate at least once a year, and again after flooding or well repairs. The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County can explain how to collect and submit samples.
Written by Well Water Advisor Editorial Team.